Marvelous vs. Wonderful — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
"Marvelous" refers to something causing great wonder or astonishment, while "Wonderful" denotes something that is inspiring delight or admiration. Both imply positivity.
Difference Between Marvelous and Wonderful
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Marvelous" and "Wonderful" are adjectives often used to praise or express admiration. While they share similarities in evoking positive feelings, subtle nuances differentiate them.
"Marvelous" tends to describe things that are surprising or astonishing. When something defies expectations in a delightful way, it can be termed as marvelous. It has an element of unexpectedness to it, suggesting a touch of the extraordinary. For instance, a groundbreaking invention might be deemed marvelous due to its innovation.
On the contrary, "Wonderful" encapsulates things that inspire delight or pleasure, not necessarily because they're surprising, but because they possess inherently pleasing qualities. A beautiful sunset or a heartwarming gesture might be referred to as wonderful, highlighting their innate ability to elicit joy or admiration.
In essence, while both "Marvelous" and "Wonderful" serve to express admiration, "Marvelous" has a shade of the unexpected or extraordinary, whereas "Wonderful" emphasizes inherent delightfulness. To illustrate, a magician's trick might be marvelous, but the feeling of love is universally wonderful.
Comparison Chart
Nuance
Surprising, extraordinary
Inherently pleasing
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Usage
Often for unique or innovative things
Commonly for things evoking joy or warmth
Tone
Slight astonishment
Gentle admiration
Intensity
May imply higher intensity
Often used in everyday praises
Synonyms
Amazing, spectacular
Lovely, delightful
Compare with Definitions
Marvelous
Extremely good or enjoyable.
She had a marvelous time at the party.
Wonderful
Inspiring delight or pleasure.
It was a wonderful day at the beach.
Marvelous
Notably superior or excellent.
She has a marvelous sense of humor.
Wonderful
Excellent or great.
You did a wonderful job decorating the room.
Marvelous
Exceptional or unique.
The artifact was a marvelous example of ancient craftsmanship.
Wonderful
Being beyond everyday experiences.
The birth of a child is a wonderful event.
Marvelous
Being out of the ordinary.
The way he solved that puzzle was marvelous.
Wonderful
Characterized by warmth or affection.
She has a wonderful relationship with her grandparents.
Marvelous
Causing great surprise or wonder.
The magician's act was truly marvelous.
Wonderful
Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvellous
The climate was wonderful all the year round
They all think she's wonderful
Marvelous
Causing wonder or astonishment.
Wonderful
Admirable or very good; excellent or splendid
What a wonderful person she is.
Had a wonderful time at the party.
Marvelous
Of the highest or best kind or quality; first-rate
Has a marvelous collection of rare books.
Wonderful
Capable of eliciting wonder; astonishing
"The ... whale is one of the most wonderful animals in the world" (Charles Darwin).
Marvelous
Exciting wonder or surprise; astonishing; wonderful.
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Wonderful
Tending to excite wonder; surprising, extraordinary.
Marvelous
Partaking of the character of miracle, or supernatural power; incredible; so improbable as to defy belief.
The marvelous fable includes whatever is supernatural, and especially the machines of the gods.
Wonderful
Surprisingly excellent; very good or admirable, extremely impressive.
They served a wonderful six-course meal.
What appears to be wonderful may turn out to be anything but.
Marvelous
Extraordinarily good; used especially as intensifiers;
A fantastic trip to the Orient
The film was fantastic!
A howling success
A marvelous collection of rare books
Had a rattling conversation about politics
A tremendous achievement
Wonderful
(dialect) Exceedingly, to a great extent.
Marvelous
Too improbable to admit of belief;
A tall story
Wonderful
Adapted to excite wonder or admiration; surprising; strange; astonishing.
Marvelous
Being or having the character of a miracle
Wonderful
Extraordinarily good; used especially as intensifiers;
A fantastic trip to the Orient
The film was fantastic!
A howling success
A marvelous collection of rare books
Had a rattling conversation about politics
A tremendous achievement
Wonderful
Producing wonder.
The fireworks were a wonderful sight.
Common Curiosities
Are "Marvelous" and "Wonderful" synonyms?
They are close in meaning but have nuances; "Marvelous" implies something surprising or extraordinary, while "Wonderful" suggests inherent delight.
Can experiences be both "Marvelous" and "Wonderful"?
Absolutely! An experience can be both surprising and inherently delightful.
Can both words be used interchangeably?
Often they can, but context matters as "Marvelous" can suggest more astonishment.
Is "Wonderful" more commonly used in daily language?
Yes, "Wonderful" is often used for everyday praises or expressions of joy.
Is "Marvelous" a stronger adjective than "Wonderful"?
Not necessarily, but it may imply a higher level of surprise or exceptionality.
Could a discovery be "Marvelous"?
Yes, especially if it's unexpected or groundbreaking.
Can nature be described as "Wonderful"?
Absolutely, many people use "Wonderful" to describe beautiful or awe-inspiring natural phenomena.
Is a "Wonderful" feeling always positive?
Typically, "Wonderful" connotes positive emotions, but context is crucial.
Which word would best describe a heartwarming story?
"Wonderful" would be apt, emphasizing the story's warmth and charm.
Can objects be described as "Marvelous"?
Yes, especially if they are unique, innovative, or exceptionally crafted.
Would "Marvelous" describe something out of the ordinary?
Yes, "Marvelous" often refers to things that are surprising or beyond the usual.
Is "Marvelous" more formal than "Wonderful"?
Neither is particularly more formal, but context and regional usage may influence formality.
Can both words describe emotions?
Yes, one might feel "Marvelous" after achieving something big or "Wonderful" when content and happy.
Which word might describe an unexpected act of kindness?
Both could work, but "Marvelous" might emphasize the unexpected nature of the act.
Would "Marvelous" fit for describing a piece of art?
Yes, especially if the art is seen as unique, innovative, or evoking strong astonishment.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
